Westmoreland PIAA basketball capsules: Games for March 8-9, 2019
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Thursday, March 7, 2019 | 7:44 PM
Boys basketball
Class 5A
First round
Franklin Regional (17-7) vs. Lower Dauphin (24-3)
6:30 p.m. Friday at Milton Hershey HS
Winner plays: Winner of Johnstown (19-2)/Elizabethtown (16-12) on Tuesday
Coaches: Steve Scorpion, Franklin Regional; Rick Attivo, Lower Dauphin
Players to watch: Nick Leopold, Sr., G, FR; Luke Hedrick, Sr., G, Lower Dauphin
About Franklin Regional: The Panthers, who placed sixth in the WPIAL, will look to get going again after a 64-48 loss to Moon in the WPIAL quarterfinals. This will be their third straight trip to states.
About Lower Dauphin: The champions of District 3, top-seeded Lower Dauphin held off No. 7 Muhlenberg, 64-60, in the title game at Hershey’s Giant Center, the site of the PIAA finals. The district finals appearance was the first for Lower Dauphin since 1991. Hedrick had 26 in the win. He is a 1,000-point scorer and a 3-point threat.
Class 3A
First round
Ligonier Valley (22-3) vs. Beaver Falls (10-14)
4 p.m. Saturday at Greater Johnstown HS
Winner plays: Winner of Sharon (21-4)/Washington (14-9) on Wednesday
Coaches: John Berger, Ligonier Valley; Carliss Jeter, Beaver Falls
Players to watch: Marrek Paola, Sr., F-C, LV; Gage McKelvey, Sr., G, Beaver Falls
About Ligonier Valley: The high-scoring Rams return to PIAAs after finishing runner-up to Richland in District 6. Paola is the engine that drives the team. A 6-7 Seton Hill recruit, he averages 26 points and 17 rebounds.
About Beaver Falls: The Tigers have lost six of their last eight games, including an 82-54 setback to Lincoln Park in the WPIAL quarterfinals at New Castle. They played a tough nonsection schedule with games against Highlands, Pine-Richland and Blackhawk. They beat Highlands, a WPIAL 4A semifinalist, 71-63.
Class A
First round
Monessen (15-9) vs. Jamestown (12-11)
6:30 p.m. Friday at Edinboro University
Winner plays: Winner of North Clarion (21-3)/Bishop Carroll (19-5) on Tuesday
Coaches: Dan Bosnic, Monessen; Scott Vannoy, Jamestown
Players to watch: Devin Whitlock, Fr., G, Monessen; Austin Smith, Sr., 6-5, Jamestown
About Monessen: The Greyhounds enter the state tournament as the fourth-place team from the WPIAL after losing to Vincentian, 61-49, in the semifinals. Monessen is the second-highest scoring team in WPIAL Class A at 71.0 points.
About Jamestown: The Huskies are coming off their first District 10 championship. While the team’s record does not seem suitable for framing, Jamestown is a staunch defensive team and plays a patient, deliberate style, which could slow down get-it-and-go Monessen.
Girls basketball
Class 6A
First round
Norwin (21-2) vs. Altoona (16-7)
6:30 p.m. Friday at Hollidaysburg HS
Winner plays: Winner of Northhampton (24-4)/ Methacton (21-6) on Tuesday
Coaches: Brian Brozeski, Norwin; Miriam Colledge, Altoona
Players to watch: Olivia Gribble, Jr., G, Norwin; Brigid Fox, Sr., C, Altoona
About Norwin: The Knights return to the state bracket after two years away. A still-budding group is eager to start another playoff run after losing a 37-36 heartbreaker in the WPIAL semifinals to North Allegheny.
About Altoona: Senior point guard Olivia Hudson is a proven scorer and is back to form after tearing her ACL last summer.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Beaver Falls, Franklin Regional, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Norwin
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